Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) is a significant global health burden with variable prevalence influenced by metabolic, genetic, and infectious factors. Increasing evidence suggests that Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species, contribute to gallstone pathogenesis through enzymatic activity and biofilm formation. Objectives: To characterize Gram-positive bacteria within gallstones from Iraqi patients, evaluate their biofilm-forming capacity, and analyze the relationship between bacterial colonization, gallstone type, and cholesterol levels. Methods: A total of 100 gallstones were obtained from patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy between October 2024 and March 2025. Stones were aseptically processed for bacterial isolation and identification using selective culture media and the VITEK® 2 Compact System. Serum cholesterol levels were determined by enzymatic colorimetric assay. Biofilm formation was quantified via the 96-well microtiter plate method, and statistical correlations between gallstone type, cholesterol level, and bacterial presence were analyzed. Results: Cholesterol stones (57%) were more prevalent than pigment (40%) and mixed stones (3%). Bacterial growth was observed in 43% of gallstones, with Enterococcus species (31 isolates) predominating over S. aureus (12 isolates). Species-level identification revealed E. faecalis (n= 16), E. faecium (n= 9), and E. gallinarum (n= 6), marking the first reported isolation of E. gallinarum from gallstones. Cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in sterile stones (median 235 mg/dL) compared to bacteria-positive stones (173-186 mg/dL) (P < 0.0001). Biofilm analysis showed all S. aureus isolates as strong producers, whereas E. faecalis exhibited predominantly moderate-to-strong formation, while E. faecium and E. gallinarum displayed weaker capacities. Conclusion: A significant interplay between microbial colonization and gallstone composition. Strong biofilm-producing Gram-positive bacteria, particularly S. aureus and E. faecalis, may facilitate stone maturation and persistence. The novel isolation of E. gallinarum expands the spectrum of biliary microbiota.
Nowadays nanoparticles are used in many fields of life all over the world, and there are numerous ways to obtain them: chemical, physical and biological processes. In recent times, the biological method for the synthesis of nanoparticles associated with using plant extract is widely spread. Optimal conditions for synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous seeds extract of Myristica fragrance were highlighted in this research, such as type of plant extract, weight of extracted plant material, volume ratio of plant extract to AgNO3 and temperature of reaction. The study proved that the optimal status for AgNPs synthesis by using 10 g of M. fragrance seeds powder were added to 100 mL boiled distilled water, then homogenized and filt
... Show MoreThe new ligand [3,3’-(1,2-phenylenebis(azanediyl))bis(5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one)] (L) derived from 5,5-Dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione with 1,2-phenylenediamine was used to prepare a new chain of metal complexes of Mn(ii), Co(ii), Ni(ii), Cu(ii), Cd(ii) and Zn(ii) by inclusive formula [M(L)]Cl2. Characterized compounds on the basis of 1H, 13CNMR (for ligand (L)), FT-IR and U.V spectrum, melting point, molar conduct, %C, %H and %N, the percentage of the metal in complexes %M, Magnetic susceptibility, thermal studies (TGA), while its corrosion inhibition for (plain steel) in tap water is studied by weight loss. These measurements proved th
The purpose of this research was to prepare, characterize, and evaluate the new antimicrobial peptide KSL peptide encapsulated in poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)composite microspheres. KSL was loaded in poly(acryloyl hydroxyethyl) starch (acHES) micropar-ticles, and then the peptide-containing microparticles were encapsulated in the PLGA matrix by a solvent extraction /evaporation method.
KSL-loaded PLGA microspheres were also prepared without the starch hydrogel microparticle microspheres for comparison study. KSL peptide microspheres were characterized for drug content, surface morphology, microspheres size determination, polymers stability , in vitro microspheres degradation and in vitro release. KSL peptide
... Show MoreThe purpose of this research is to prepare new vanillic acid derivatives with 1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol heterocyclic ring and evaluate their antimicrobial activity in a preliminary assessment. A multistep synthesis was established for the preparation of new vanillic acid-triazole conjugates. The intermediate of 4-(4-amino-5-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-2-methoxyphenol (4) reacts with different heterocyclic aldehydes (thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde, pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde, thiophene-3-carboxaldehyde, and furfural ) in ethanol containing few drops of acetic acid yielded the corresponding 4-(4-(substituted amino)-5-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-1triazol-3-yl)-2-methoxy phenol derivatives (
In this research, new compounds were synthesized via the reaction of dichloroacetic acid with two moles of piperidine. The novel acid 1 was converted to its ester 2. Acid hydrizide 3 was prepared by the reaction of hydrazine hydrate with new ester 2, which was later used to prepare derivatives of Schiff bases 4-13. In the last step, Schiff bases and thioglycolic acid were reacted to give thiazolidine derivatives 14-23. All these compounds were diagnosed using melting points, FTIR, 1HNMR and mass spectroscopy. Scheme 1 shows all the synthesized compounds' reaction steps and structures. Keywords: Thiazolidine; Schiff bases; biological activity; piperidine; dichloroacetic acid.
This paper deals with the preparation of new monomers and polymers which including heterocyclic unit. The diacid chlorides compounds [1-3] were prepared from the reaction of glutaric acid, adipic acid, terephthalic acid with thionyl chloride. Succinic acid reacted with ethanol to produce compound [4]. Compound [4] reacted with hydrazine hydrate to obtain succinic hydrazide [5].Compound [5] reaction with CS2 and KOH in absolute ethanol to produce compound [6].The polymers [7-12] have been created by reacting diacid chlorides compounds [1-3] with compound[5] or [6] in dry pyridine with some drops of DMF. The topology of produced compounds has characterized through their spectral and analytical data as in FT-IR spectra, Thermal analysis [DSC,
... Show MoreObjective: The objective of the present study was to design and optimize oral fast dissolving film (OFDF) of practically insoluble drug lafutidine in order to enhance bioavailability and patient compliance especially for a geriatric and unconscious patient who are suffering from difficulty in swallowing.Methods: The films were prepared by a solvent casting method using low-grade hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC E5), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) as film forming polymers. Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400), propylene glycol (PG) and glycerin were used as a plasticizer to enhance the film forming properties of the polymer. Tween 80 (1% solution) and poloxamer407 were used as a surfactant, citri
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